What to Celebrate October 26 thru November 1, 2020
Celebration Ideas for October 26 – November 1, 2020
Welcome to the final week in October!
Can you believe it? Like so much of this year, our answer is “It’s completely unbelievable.”! But no matter what we believe, it’s just a fact. October is on its way out and the holiday season is about to kick into high gear.
Of course, we never stopped celebrating “the holidays,” even if most of them are somewhat less official than the traditional year-end holidays. 😍
And of course, these less-official holidays don’t end just because the official ones show up. And we don’t stop celebrating either!
So do take a peek and plan your week. And as always …
Enjoy!
Celebrate for the rest of October
Celebrate togetherness and deliciousness for the rest of the month.
Eat Better, Eat Together Month: Eating together as a family might seem like a quaint tradition belonging to a simpler time, when everybody didn’t have such busy schedules. But it’s still possible to do, even if not every night. And eating real meals together at a table often means eating healthier. Plus it gives you time to connect as a family. So try to schedule at least a few nights a week to do that. Or even consider making breakfast the family meal, before everyone heads off to their busy days. And of course, keep the habit going all year round.
National Caramel Month: Enjoy caramel in all its sticky glory for October (and all during fall). Drizzle it on popcorn. Bake it into cookies. Enjoy it with chocolate. Just pop pieces of caramel into your mouth to savor its pure, sweet taste. And of course, celebrate it along with Apple Month in the form of caramel apples! Mmmmm …
National Applejack Month: Have you ever had applejack? No, not Apple Jacks the cereal. Applejack the drink! It’s kind of a hard cider or apple brandy, but it has a higher alcohol content (i.e, it’s “jacked”!). Originally the cider was frozen to increase the alcohol content. But these days many producers blend it with other, higher-alcohol spirits. Either way, it’s a delicious way to enjoy the taste of autumn … with a kick!
And October used to be American Cheese Month (no, not those orange slices of individually wrapped “cheese product”. Cheese made in America!). But last year the American Cheese Education Foundation apparently moved it to May. We’d suggest celebrating informally anyway. Because what would Chili Month or Pizza Month be without the cheeses we put on those foods? Much less interesting for sure. And yes, you can find mozzarella and cheddar cheeses made right here in the US of A.
Weekly Celebrations for Oct. 26 to Nov. 1
It’s a health-focused week. So take a deep breathe (a respiratory therapist can help with that), relax (maybe with a massage?), and enjoy your family (hopefully in a home free of lead hazards).
Respiratory Care Week (October 25 – 31, 2020): Celebrate the respiratory therapists, those people who literally help you breathe. Anything that causes you to have trouble breathing, from asthma to a respiratory infection is something these medical professionals can help you with.
National Massage Therapy Awareness Week (October 25 – 31, 2020): Massage offers many benefits, and this is the week when massage therapists get the word out. If you’ve never had a massage, or you consider them occasional treats, learn more about how regular massage can offer pain relief and mental health benefits, among other things. And if you are a massage therapist, use this week to educate the public on how massages can be an important part of overall wellness.
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25 – 31, 2020): By now the negative effects of lead on chldren’s development is well-known. And lead-based paint has been banned in the US since 1978. But the stuff still exists in homes built before then. There are other sources of lead exposure, too. And kids are still getting exposed. Adults can also suffer illness from too much lead exposure. Learn how to keep your whole family safe during this week.
Celebration Days coming up for Oct. 26 thru Nov. 1
Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1 this year, so make the most of what light you still have in the evenings this week! Maybe by enjoying an American beer, being a hermit for an evening, and cleaning out your haunted fridge?
If those aren’t quite your cup of tea, there’s plenty more options for creating a fun-tastic final week of Daylight Savings Time.
October 26:
Mule Day: This day recognizes the day in 1875 when the gift of a male donkey (named Royal Gift) and two jennies (female donkeys) arrived in America from King Charles of Spain to George Washington. Washington bred the male with female horses to create a population of sturdy mules.
National Financial Crime Fighter Day: We regularly hear about people charged with financial crimes like fraud or money laundering. But we hear less about the people who work behind the scenes to protect us from these and other financial crimes. But for at least one day each year the Anti-Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act professionals get their due.
National Day of the Deployed: All military service members deserve recognition and our gratitude for their service. But not all service members get deployed. This day recognizes the unique sacrifices deployed troops and their families make.
National Pumpkin Day: It’s fall, and pumpkin season is in full swing. But on this day we ramp the pumpkin celebrating into high gear. If you haven’t already carved your Halloween pumpkin, this is the perfect day to do it! And of course you must eat pumpkin, too. So make a pie or a dessert or whatever pumpkiny delight your heart desires. Just remember carving pumpkins and eating pumpkins are not the same! Not that you can’t eat a carving pumpkin, they’re just not very good.
National Mincemeat Day: For this day we enjoy the weird-sounding combination of spiced meats and fruit. Possibly in a pie. Modern-day mincemeat recipes are often just fruit. Either way, if you’ve never had it this is the day to try it. And if you already love it, well here’s your excuse to have it. Check out these mincemeat recipes for ideas.
October 27:
Cranky Co-Workers Day: Do you have cranky co-workers? Of course you do! We all do. Unless you’re the cranky co-worker? At any rate, this is the day to just go with the crankiness. Sympathize with it even!
National Black Cat Day: This day originated in the UK, but since black cats are beautiful we believe it should be celebrated everywhere! Not that we didn’t just celebrate black cats (we did … Black Cat Appreciation Day in August), but there can never be enough cat days. If you have a black (or black and white) cat, make sure you deliver lots of extra treats & cuddles for this day.
National Day for Audiovisual Heritage: Sound and video recordings offer us a doorway into our shared past. They can help us understand it in a way mere words often can’t. But these recordings can be easily lost, either through neglect or deliberate destruction. This day raises awareness of the need to preserve them and honors the people working to do just that.
National American Beer Day: On this day we raise a frosty mug of American beer in a toast to our favorite American beer. 🍻 What do you mean you don’t have a favorite American beer?! There’s literally thousands of breweries across the country. Start taste-testing to find your favorite! 😉
October 28:
National Chocolate Day: Eat chocolate. Drink chocolate, too. That about covers it! 😍
Internal Medicine Day: Let’s celebrate the cardiologists, gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, and other internists who help us manage both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) illnesses.
National First Responders Day: On this day we thank the people who have dedicated their lives to helping those who are having emergencies. They’re the first responders, and even when the emergency could put their lives at risk—like a fire—they dive in to get that emergency under control. If you know any first responders, give them a great big thank you to celebrate this day. And maybe consider helping to support the first responders. (Remember, always check out any organization before donating. We offer no guarantees about the organizations we link to).
October 29:
National Cat Day: All the felines in your life get lots of extra love, attention, and treats for this day. And if you’ve been thinking about adding another feline to your home, this is also the perfect day to head to the shelter to adopt one (or more!).
World Psoriasis Day: If you have psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, this day is for and about you! The day helps raise awareness of this frustrating and poorly understood disease. Some 125 million people live with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, but we’ve only just begun to figure out what it is, its causes, and how to treat it.
World Stroke Day: Learn about the risk factors for stroke and how you can reduce your risk. Then join the “world’s biggest dance chain” on the 29th. Because movement is one of the ways to help prevent stroke.
Internet Day: Where would we be without the internet? Well, some days it seems likely we’d be a whole lot happier, and a whole lot less convinced there’s a conspiracy around every corner. But for good or for bad, the internet has transformed our lives and our whole society. And it all began way back on October 29, 1969. On that day the very first long-distance message arrived at a computer at Stanford, sent from one at UCLA. And in a preview of frustrations to come, less than half of the message got through on the first try. The Stanford computer crashed and they had to try again later!
National Hermit Day: After celebrating the creation that has made it easier to connect with people everywhere, take some time to disconnect from people everywhere. Spend as much time as possible in seclusion, enjoying your own company, hermit-like.
National Oatmeal Day: Oats are a nutritious and versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet foods. And as a breakfast they just can’t be beat. Oatmeal is warm and filling and a perfect base for whatever flavor you desire that day. Add honey or syrup, fruit or nuts (or both!), chocolate chips or raisins, or whatever your imagination can dream up. So create your perfect oatmeal breakfast to celebrate the day. Then keep the oats celebration going with some oatmeal cookies, granola bars, meatballs (or meatloaf!) with oatmeal in place of breadcrumbs, and even oats risotto! Yes, the day technically celebrates oatmeal, but oatmeal is made with oats, and oats are amazing in so many ways!
October 30
Frankenstein Friday: Get a jump-start on your Halloween festivities by celebrating that most famous of monsters. The one cobbled together in the lab of a truly mad scientist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Read the book, have a Frankenstein-themed party, or watch a Frankenstein movie or two.
Haunted Refrigerator Night: What terrifying and chilling things lurk, forgotten, at the back of your fridge? This is the night to find out! According to Tom & Ruth Roy, creators of the day, “that ‘thing’ inside that container is much more horrifying than any haunted hayride.”
National Breadstick Day: Fortify yourself for your pre-Halloween celebration of monsters and haunted refrigerators with a comforting meal served with breadsticks. Or make breasticks the whole meal; we won’t judge!
National Candy Corn Day: Make dessert candy corn! Assuming you’re one of the people who like candy corn. But love ’em or hate ’em, this is the day we celebrate ’em. If you happen to hate ’em, celebrate by giving some to someone who loves ’em!
October 31:
National Knock-Knock Jokes Day: What’s more terrifying than a horde of zombies? Someone with an infinite supply of knock-knock jokes! Which makes Halloween the perfect time to tell these jokes all day long. And all night, too … if you can still find anyone who’s not running away from you by then!
National Doorbell Day: Halloween is the day of the year with the most doorbell rings! NuTone created this day to celebrate the doorbell and their video doorbell, allowing you to see & speak to your visitors without even being home. Although we hope someone will be home for those trick-or-treaters!
National Magic Day: Love magic? This day is for you! If you’re a magician yourself, perform some magic tricks for an appreciative audience. Or learn a new trick. Not a magician? Learn some simple magic tricks or visit a magic museum if there’s one near you (and open). However you choose to celebrate, take a few moments to remember that greatest of magicians, Harry Houdini, in whose memory the day exists.
National Caramel Apple Day: Who can resist a crisp apple coated with sweet, sticky caramel? Not us! So buy or make some caramel apples to enjoy while you wait for the little ghosts & goblins to come looking for treats.
November 1:
Go Cook for Your Pets Day: This one is completely self-explanatory. Head to your kitchen and create a gourmet meal for your pet.
National Brush Day: Despite how it sounds, this day is not celebrating brushes. Well, it kind of celebrates the toothbrush. But only in the sense that you use a toothbrush to brush your teeth. And brushing your teeth after eating a boatload of candy on Halloween is what this day is all about! It’s also a reminder to brush well every day to maintain a healthy mouth.
National Vinegar Day: Use your favorite vinegars in your favorite way. Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar add a tang to vinaigrettes, marinades, and sauces. Balsamic vinegar makes a beautiful glaze for meats. Wine vinegars add flavor and brightness to all kinds of dishes. Of course, these aren’t anywhere near all the kinds of vinegars or their uses! How do you prefer to use vinegar?
National Cinnamon Day: Make only things you can flavor with cinnamon for this day! Which is really a lot easier than it may sound at first. Add cinnamon to your oatmeal or French toast for breakfast. Drizzle a honey-cinnamon vinaigrette over your salad for lunch. And make a marinade with cinnamon for your chicken for dinner! And of course, don’t forget dessert. Make snickerdoodles or apple pie. Get more cinnamony ideas here.
National Calzone Day: Can you use cinnamon in your calzone filling? We don’t see why not! But that’s entirely up to you. Eating calzones on Calzone Day on the other hand, that’s mandatory. 😉
National Deep Fried Clams Day: November is starting out in a most delicious way! You’re going to need to fit deep-fried clams into your day somewhere between feasting on cinnamony goodness and calzones.Preferably after you’ve cooked for your pets but before you brush you teeth for the night!
